Member Highlight: David Brault

David Brault sketching at Rise Up Coffee, November 2024

David Brault appears to be a quiet and unassuming man. Yet, if ever it were true, still waters run deep.

David has a passion for art and an unending desire to share it with the viewer. Start a conversation with him and together you’ll soon be exploring line, form, composition, and contrast. All the while, he’ll be peppering in bits of story, history, insight, gentle humor, and quiet charm.

David is a keen observer of detail, honed one imagines through his daily habit of sketching commonplace things around him. Despite this lifelong practice, David didn’t fully immerse himself in artmaking until his retirement.  After a career in the U.S. Navy, David started taking local art classes, absorbing YouTube tutorials on art, and participating in art critique and painting groups. His dedication to learning and practice paid off as his skills steadily progressed at a quick pace.  

Landscapes are a frequent subject for him, and usually reflect places he saw while traveling in the Navy or walking about in Anne Arundel County. A recent series of paintings were inspired by the view from his house window. Though the scene remained the same, David’s interpretation of it changed with each painting he rendered, evoking wholly different emotions from the same subject.

While he frequently works in oils, David’s affection for pen and ink drawings is foremost. In fact, he goes nowhere without his pens.  He does not want for lack of a canvas. Paper not available? No problem. He has been known to sketch on coffee cups, face masks, napkins, bags, or whatever else is handy. In fact, he has been recognized for work he created in marker on a guitar as part of a collaboration with the Warrior Music Foundation (see story here).

David's art hanging at Rise Up Coffee

In Edgewater, he’s a regular—and somewhat of a local legend—at Rise Up Coffee. While he drinks his morning coffee and chats with the other regulars by name, David sketches the people and things around him.  In fact, the staff are so enamored of David and his work, they hang it on the walls around the café and keep a book of his work to share with anyone who wants to see it.

David Brault on stage at Maryland Hall

Last month at Maryland Hall surrounded by family, friends and local arts enthusiasts, David was honored as the 2024 recipient of the Visual Arts Annie Award given by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County.  This was the 24th year of the Annie Awards, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional artists across nine categories for their lasting, significant, and inspiring contributions to an art form. The award in the category of visual arts is given to an artist who has created a significant body of work displayed in public exhibitions, museums, galleries, and private collections and achieved excellence in artistry as evidenced by reviews and awards. 

David (2nd from the right) with presenters

On stage with the recipients of awards in other categories, David’s story was shared with the audience by the presenter, Pamela Gentry, and through a pre-recorded nomination video by MCAG President Lora Collins. David's wife Marie, other family members, and a dozen or so members of Muddy Creek Artists Guild excitedly took their seats in the auditorium to watch the ceremony and cheer David on.  Like those on stage with him, David was recognized for the whole-hearted dedication he has given to his art, and the skill and passion he demonstrates.

In the audience, a row filled with members of Muddy Creek Artists Guild

Here at Muddy Creek Artists Guild David is a friend as well as an active member. We wish you big congratulations on your award, David, and look forward to seeing in what directions you take your art, and where it takes you!

MCAG members at the Annie Awards reception

To see David’s art, visit a Muddy Creek Artists Guild show, or pop into Rise Up Coffee on Mayo Road any random morning. Ask him about his art. You won’t regret it.

David discussing one of his paintings